Home
Back

Hands-on activities can enrich a trip by creating fond memories and instilling knowledge about the local culture through interactivity. In Japan, a wide range of activities are offered to tourists at single workshops, many open air museums, as well as craft villages across Japan. Craft villages are one-stop destinations where numerous different types of workshops are being conducted. Note that many of the lessons may only be conducted in Japanese, and prior reservations may be required.

Listed below are some popular hands-on activities available in Japan:

Food-related

Fruit picking

Typical duration: 30-60 minutes
Typical price range: 800 to 3000 yen

Soba noodle making

Typical duration: 2-4 hours
Typical price range: 1500 to 4000 yen

Cheese/butter making

Typical duration: 40-60 minutes
Typical price range: 600 to 1000 yen

Food replica making

Typical duration: 30-60 minutes
Typical price range: about 1000 yen

Crafts

Pottery

Typical duration: 30-60 minutes
Typical price range: 1500 to 6000 yen

Knife-related activities

Typical duration: 1-2 hours
Typical price range: from 1000 yen

Glass making

Typical duration: 15-60 minutes
Typical price range: 1500 to 3500 yen

Weaving

Typical duration: 30-60 minutes
Typical price range: 500 to 2500 yen

Indigo dyeing

Typical duration: 2-3 hours
Typical price range: 600 to 3000 yen

Daruma doll making

Typical duration: 1-2 hours
Typical price range: 500 to 1000 yen

Kokeshi dolls

Typical duration: 30-60 minutes
Typical price range: 500 to 1000 yen

Music box making

Typical duration: 45-60 minutes
Typical price range: 2000 to 6000 yen

Tatami making

Typical duration: About 2 hours
Typical price range: 500 to 1000 yen

Spiritual

Zazen meditation

Typical duration: About 1 hour
Typical price range: 500 to 2000 yen

Outdoors

Snorkeling

Typical duration: 1-2 hours
Typical price range: from 3500 yen

Scuba diving

Typical duration: from 2 hours
Typical price range: from 10,000 yen

Click on the pictures on the map to learn more about some places offering hands-on activities: